The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - The Tribune Lifestyle

Woes from the Oz
Neha Walia

For most Indian students living in Australia, life has almost come to a standstill

The phone is ringing constantly for the last three days, every half-an-hour I get a message reading, 'Are you alright, why are you not calling back?' The moment I step out of the house a million instructions like 'don't go too far or come back before nightfall' follow," Prabhsiman Singh, a hospitality student in Melbourne spells out how his life has taken a turn after the recent attacks on Indian students. Aryan Sharma, another student has not attended his classes for the past three days and has attended eight how-are-you-doing calls since morning. The 24-year-old shares the sentiment and feels that now the entire Indian student population in Australia is living in fear. Thanks to some demented freaks, most of the students are living under house arrest, their social life going through a spell of dormancy, till things get normal.

"Things were bad earlier as well, but it's just that earlier we used to get beaten and now we are getting killed," says Aryan Sharma, a student from the city currently pursuing a course in hairdressing in Melbourne. Living in one of the most adventurous countries, life is rather low on fun, unless you want to invite trouble. Parties, going out with friends, movies or shopping are a strict no, the sentiment seems to be unanimous--prevention is better than cure.

"Most of the attacks happen on weekends, when people get drunk at some party and then let loose. So, late night parties are avoided big time. Even if you are with some friends, chances are that you might invite trouble," says Prabhsimran. Aryan elaborates on it, " Going out after eight means taking a risk, you can't even think of going to parties or eat out with friends. Night outs with friends is impossible and this was the situation even before these attacks came to highlight." The situation has also made him shift closer to the city and stay with six guys and not alone. "I used to live in the suburbs but since the western suburbs have become quite attack prone, I had to move to the city," he says. And as if this was not enough, even listening to Indian music while driving can cause a honking attack.

'No socialising at night' is the order of the day. "If we have to plan something, we do it in the day. The dinner dates have turned into lunch or breakfast meetings," adds Aryan. "We go out in groups of 10-15 guys. Mostly, we hang out during the day," says Prabhsimran.

While some are avoiding nightlife to stay safe, there are others who enjoy life the usual way. "The situation is bad in northern and western suburbs where most of the student population lives, while the southern suburbs remain safe. Here, I can go out at 12 at night and hope to come back safe," says Robin Mehra, a 25-year-old banking professional, who has spent four years in Australia now. "The thing is that most of the students work late at nights in restraints and eating joints and use public transport, which makes it unsafe. But things are not that gruesome," he adds. Prabhsimran, who also drives a cab, agree, "The night life of an average Indian student here is all about working at night shifts. And since most of them do not have cars, public transport is their only option, making it rather unsafe."

Harsimrat Kaur, a MBA student in Melbourne, feels that the situation is attracting a lot of unnecessary panic. "Things are normal during the day and even at night, you can go out in groups. As for the safety factor, that is same even for a non-Indian living here. You go out alone at night and trouble is bound to happen." Though she has cut down her nightlife as well but there are other ways to unwind. "Mostly, my group gathers at each others place ad enjoy a in-house party of sorts," she says. Well, making the most of the house arrest!

lifestyle@tribunemail.com

Curry Bashing

With over 4,30,000 international students visiting Australia annually, education is Australia's third-largest trade after coal and iron ore. The number of Indians studying in Australia has more than doubled since 2006, to about 93,000. It is estimated this group contributed about two billion dollars to the economy last financial year. But the recent violence has had a serious effect on both sides.

There had been at least 20 bashings of Indian students in Sydney in the last month alone, but most went unreported out of fear. Reports say over 100 attacks on Indian students happened in the past 12 months. Most of the students don't file a compliant or retaliate as it harms their chances of staying in the country. And there is a name for all this…it's called Curry Bashing and students are an easy prey.

Model moves
Ashima Sehajpal

Ramp models Sonalika Sahay and Tina Chatwal share views on their personal and professional lives

Tina Chatwal and Sonalika Sahay. Photo by Pradeep Tewari

I don't mind tall actors, who can do justice to the ramp walk pitching in to popularise a designer's collection," just when Sonalika Sahay, a leading international model voiced her opinion, a strong objection came from another popular face on the ramp, Tina Chatwal, "I feel Bollywood celebs should stay away from the ramp, it surely isn't their forte." Similar profession and lifestyle do not necessarily mean similar opinions! If in the modeling world we have friends like Amanpreet Wahi and Krishna Somani who think alike (we realised it on Saturday), we also have Sonalika and Tina, the pals who prefer to speak their starkly different minds.

In the city on Sunday for the NIIFT annual show, Anukama, 09, that'll showcase 44 collections by the students, we got to know their different choices. Another example? All right, Sonalika isn't looking forward to enter Bollywood but Tina doesn't mind trying, if the offer is worthwhile. And Sonalika has her reasons, "I feel I am just cut out for modeling. I enjoy it so much that haven't felt the need to do anything else since the time I started four years back." Tina instead has her options open, "In the past, I have refused films for nothing substantial came my way. All I demand for is an experimental role and I'll be game for it."

As for the choice of designers, Sonalika enjoys working with freshers who strive to deliver something different in the industry, "The veterans of the industry at times fail to think out of the box. It is the freshers who assure innovation in designs and attract attention of industry analysts." One of the tallest models in the country, Sonalika also has many international assignments to her credit. Having walked the ramp for the Milan and Paris Fashion Week, she feels the Indian fashion industry is at par with the international. "We have got the best bodied models and choreographers for the show, the only sphere which we need to work on is the designer creations. I have seen the most renowned names faltering or bringing in the monotonous designs and that is why I say, freshers can make a difference."

However, Tina too has a point to make, "Freshers loose out on the finishing of the attire, which I feel is the only difference between an experienced designer and a fresher." Born in Chandigarh, now settled in Delhi, she still enjoys a strong city connection as her paternal grandparents are based here. Talking about her future Tina says, "I am looking forward to open a chain of grooming schools across the country. The first one would be Delhi and the next place would certainly be Chandigarh." With a lot of travelling involved in her job, she doesn't feel the need to take out time for exercise, "Since we are always on a move, there is hardly any time left to hit the gym, so all I do to keep myself fit is to eat healthy."

Happily married from the past three years now, Sonalika's future plans are not as ambitious as Tina's. "I want to pen down a book on my life and stay with my family. Two years down the line, all I want to do is live a happy life with my family."

Well, just when the ladies were leaving, we finally pointed out a similarity. They both had books in their hands that they read when they aren't on the ramp. Sonalika's reading Jeffrey Archer's Paths of Glory and Tina's choice is Haruki Murakami's A Wild Sheep Chase.

ashima@tribunemail.com

Salaam sahib
Jasmine Singh

With flowing mustache and no-nonsense attitude, they may look a little too overpowering. But beneath that tough exterior of darbaans lies a heart of gold. Read on…

Hem Singh Thakur

Harnam Singh

A car draws to a halt in front of Hotel Mountview, and a family of four comes out, bags and baggage in tow. Red from the sweltering heat, the four firangs walk towards to the entrance to be greeted by a pleasant looking Hem Singh Thakur with long 'attractive' moustaches. Hello. Smiles. Hello. Smiles. Hello. Smiles Hello. He then steps ahead to take their luggage. It's okay, the firang gentleman says. We can manage. Give sir, Hem Singh politely and cheerfully takes the luggage from them. Thank you, says the family as they march towards the reception.

Some 15 minutes later, another car stops at the door. A newly-married couple steps out, to be greeted by smiling Hem Singh once again. Good afternoon, Hem Singh pleasantly greets the 10th or 13th guest of the day with the same pleasing smile with which he greeted the first. Stationed at one place, without showing any visible signs of restlessness, this is just another day of duty for darbaan Hem Singh Thakur and Harnam Singh and Harinder Singh. And they 'really' don't have any qualms about it, for they look at it as their duty, and the most chivalrous one too.

Hem Singh Thakur from Himachal Pradesh was in the kitchen for almost 16 years before he was shifted to the present duty of darbaan two years back. "It was a little tough initially," Hem Singh tells us. "My hands and feet would swell due to long hours of standing. My knees would pain, but gradually I got used to it and now it is perfectly okay." He laughs, "Now it has become a habit. Ab to ghar pey TV bhi khadey hokar dekhta hun. Bachchey kehtey hain papa bhait to jaya karo." With long duty shifts (almost eight hours) wherein they have to stay put at one place, it isn't as easy as it looks.

"My feet would swell," says Harnam Singh, darbaan at Hotel Western Court-Panchkula. "Now, it's okay. I don't think much about it, because I have to earn for my family. It's my duty which I have to deliver. This is the only way I like to look at it."

Harnam, who is trained in security, claims to handle any untoward incident. "If it happens, which never has happened and never will. Families come here to have food and to have good time. Besides, I take care that they are ushered in with a royal bow and the hotel takes care to give them a royal treatment."

All the same, this gets us to thinking on one basic question, do Indians know how to handle chivalry. "Yes, they all smile back at me, says Hem Singh, maybe because of my long moustaches. The guests are nice enough. Some even say, koi nahin, hum kar leygey (we'll open the door ourselves)." Hem Singh is eager to add, "I am a fun loving person basically. I am trained in hospitality. Nevertheless, I know that I have to be polite and welcoming with the guests, which comes easy to me." Ditto for Harinder Singh from Hoshiarpur, who feels that no one can be taught lessons in politeness, you are born with it. "You can get training in what to speak or how to speak, but if your basic nature is in the contrary, then the smile can't last for long."

Politeness, we find is the basic attribute for a good darbaan. "Of course," agrees Harinder. In addition to this, you need to have an attractive personality coupled with a lot of patience. At the end of the day, I feel satisfied when someone smiles back at me with a thank you."

jasmine@tribunemail.com

A lyrical journey
S.D. Sharma

Madhav Kaushik

Sach ko sach kehne ki bas meine khayi hai kasam/ Varna shehar mein rehte hain shayar aur bhi — That is how eminent Hindi poet and litterateur Madhav Kaushik introduces himself. He stands out for his resolution to adhere to the purity of thought and truthful expressions in his literary creations.

Holding masters in Hindi and diploma in translation, Kaushik has been rightfully honored with the Haryana State Sahitya Akademy's prestigious Babu Baal Mukund Award-2005, All-India Balraj Sahani Award 2006, Millennium Award in World Hindi Sammelan-2000 and the Raj Bhasha Ratna by Hindi Sahitya Sammelan-Prayag. He also holds the board membership of the National Sahitya Akademi and leading state literary organisations.

Endowed with vision, impulse and command over three languages, Madhav has eloquently depicted realities of life in its variegated colours and moods, especially through ghazals. Credited with over 20 publications, including nine ghazal editions, Kaushik is hailed as the pioneer of Hindi ghazal in this region. His Hindi ghazals pulsate with imagination. His latest collection of ghazals Angron Par Nange Paaon is the only Hindi ghazal book published by Penguin India. His literary creations Suno Radhika on the empowerment of women and Laut Aao Paarth, structured in mythological settings, deal with the contemporary socio-cultural issues.

"While the genre of Urdu ghazal has a centuries-old tradition, but Hindi ghazal, which has just made its mark only years ago, equates in fineness, the depth of emotions and lyrical expression," claims Madhav. "Besides Hindi ghazals conceptualise the life in totality delineating the human ambitions, aspirations, sorrows and challenges of contemporary life while Urdu ghazals remained restricted to romanticism alone," adds Madhav. Sample it, Hasne hasaane ka hunar dhoond rhe hain, ham log duaaon mein asr dhood rhe hain/ Ab koi hamein theek thikaane toh lgaye, Ghar mein hain magr apna ghar doodh rhe hain.

A prolific author on whose literary works research scholars have been awarded M Phil and PhD degrees sometimes shares his achievements with himself with these lines.

Ussi panchhi ne akhir kar liya sar aasman ikk din

Jise sabh log kehte theh usse udna nahin aata.

Brit? Kinda cute!

Kim Kardashian

Socialite Kim Kardashian has revealed that she is a big fan of British men. The reality TV star and Playboy pin-up says she finds them ‘cute’.

"I love it in the UK. I love the accent and there are definitely some cute men," she was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the 28-year-old beauty, who’s been dating American footballer Reggie Bush for the past four years, is in no hurry to get hitched. "I’ve been with Reggie for two years and he’s definitely the man for me, he’s everything I would want in a man," she said.

"We’re on a reality TV show but we try to have a balance - we make sure we have our private moments if you know what I mean!" she added. Kardashian was previously married to music producer Damon Thomas but they divorced after four years. She says it’s definitely not put her off getting married again - although will certainly delay her second marriage. "I definitely want to get married again, that’s the best part of life - finding that person you can be with forever and have a really good relationship with," she said. "It won’t be happening too soon, I’m still enjoying my life and my relationship. "I’ve been through a marriage and divorce and I don’t want to do that again, I’m definitely more cautious and I’ll make sure I don’t jump into anything too quickly this time," she added. — ANI

Launch PAD
Glam cam

Fujifilm India Pvt. Ltd has announced the availability of its latest digital camera, FinePix Z30, in India. With its new chic chassis form factor, the FinePix Z30 is sleeker than its predecessors, the Z10 and Z100. The Z30 also includes an innovative SR Auto (automatic scene recognition) feature that enables the camera to recognise subjects, scenes and faces automatically resulting in great pictures every time.

A. Rajkumar, country general manager, Fujifilm India said: " As such, the third installment of its Z-series ultra-glam cameras, FinePix Z30 is specifically designed for 'Generation Z,' the younger, tech-savvy, fashion-conscious consumer. The attractive new look and the automatic scene recognition functionality will assure that our users always get the best quality photos."

Like its predecessor the Finepix Z series, the Finepix Z30 can Face it, Blog it and Roll it. Users can Face It with Fujifilm's innovative face detection technology with automatic red eye removal for capturing the ultimate group shots; Blog it with the innovative blog mode, making it effortless for social-media-savvy users to post pictures and videos to personal profile pages, blogs and video sharing websites or simply to e-mail to friends; and Roll it with the successive movie mode that allows users to create 60 second movie clips.

Available at all major retail stores starting at Rs 9499.

Suave scanner

Plustek Inc., one of the leading scanner brands worldwide has announced the availability of its latest ultra slim scanner, opticslim 2400+ in India. This new scanner is just 3.3 cm in height but has an impressive 1200x2400 dpi resolution and a 48bit color depth. With Contact Image Sensor (CIS) technology, it is much superior to a traditional CCD-basedscanner in terms of performance and resolution.

Opticslim 2400+ is extremely compact, lightweight and power efficient to run on the notebook power through a USB port without warm-up.

According to Dr. Karen Ku, vice president, Plustek Inc., "The ultra slim and compact opticslim 2400+ can prove to be the perfect companion for mobile executives.

Available for Rs. 2800 — TNS

Who’s that woman?

Keanu Reeves Keanu Reeves has slammed a Canadian woman, who is seeking millions of dollars in a lawsuit filed against the actor. Karen Sala alleges that she’s a childhood friend with the Matrix star, who she claims he is the father of her four kids.

The 46-year-old is insisting upon a DNA test to prove her claim in an attempt to land 3 million dollars a month in spousal support and another 150,000 dollars in child support.

Sala further alleges that she had been "privately" trying to reach a settlement with the Hollywood heartthrob for years.

Reeves, 44, on the other hand, insist he does not even know the woman. "Karen Sala’s allegations are completely false and absurd. Reeves has no knowledge of who she is," a website quoted his spokesperson as saying.

Putting out a warning for media, the actor’s business manager added: "Before you disparage my client and lend validity to this, there’s clearly something wrong with someone who claims child support after all the kids have grown. I’m just pointing that out." — ANI

Juicy details
Ashima Sehajpal

A glass of gourd juice keeps her complexion glowing

Just two films old in the industry, Mahi Gill is busy listening to scripts through out the day. Besides quite a few Bollywood projects, the Paro of Dev D has lapped up an international film too. Between the long hours of shoots and unending narration sessions, she takes out time for a walk or some gymming. The actor further shares the secret of her keeping fit.

Fitness mantra: I am very fitness conscious but don't believe in dieting at all. There is a stark difference between staying fit and being anorexic and I feel, dieting leads to the latter. Key to fitness is a balanced diet, regular exercise and gym.

My fitness regime: I adjust my gymming time as per the shooting schedule almost every week. Whatever be the case, I make sure to take out some time everyday and hit the gym at least for an hour. I do cardio exercises to firm my muscles and aerobics to increase my stamina. Also, I am very regular with yoga as it helps in toning down the body. If at all gymming is not a possibility, I go for a walk to get rid of calories that I have consumed in a day's time.

Diet: My day begins with a glass full of bottle gourd juice followed by the juice of apple, beetroot, carrot and amla. I then take proper breakfast comprising of a glass of milk and corn flakes and in lunch, it is the usual Punjabi food, dal-roti. I g enerally avoid dinner, as it is this meal that accounts for the intake of maximum calories. I don't take junk food at all and it is only on Sundays that I indulge in aloo ke paranthe with butter. I am predominately a vegetarian and non-veg consists of just a piece of grilled chicken.

Sleeping hours: A sleep for good eight-nine hours is a must for me. If that doesn't happen due to busy shooting schedule, it gets really tough for me to work with the same energy next day. In such a case, I sleep for whatever little time I get between shots.

Fantasy food: I wish I could binge on burgers and french fries. They are so very tempting but my profession doesn't allow me to eat freely. Also at times, when everybody around is so fitness freak, you cannot take a risk with looks.

Best body celeb: John Abraham and Hrithik Roshan have by far the best physique in Bollywood and their individual style further makes them enjoy a huge fan following. Among ladies, I think Bipasha Basu has perfect curves and toned looks.

Weight watch celeb: I don't think there is anybody in the glam world who isn't fit these days. Everybody around is so fit and work hard to stay in shape.

ashima@tribunemail.com

BODY wise
Killer drink
Sachin Kalra

Can drinking a lot of water be bad?

Yes, but only if you drink it in huge amounts. Known as 'water intoxication' or hyponatremia (low salt), water poisoning results when too much water is ingested in too short a time; without replenishing electrolytes, particularly sodium and potassium.

The human body (as other animals) maintains an equilibrium of electrolytes in the bloodstream as part of its normal operation. Sweating causes the body to lose salt, but the primary cause of hyponatremia is drinking enormous amounts of water, which dilutes the salt in the body to a dangerous level. As the electrolyte levels get dangerously out of balance, body systems begin to fail and the sufferer exhibits signs of crisis such as diarrhea, over-salivation, stupor, vomiting, muscle tremors, confusion, frequent urination and other general symptoms of illness, and the brain begins to swell.

This swelling is called a 'brain edema' or 'cerebral edema' and can lead to brain damage, paralysis, and sometimes death. How susceptible one is to the dangers of hyponatremia seems to be partially dependent on body weight, how much food is in the system, and other factors not yet understood which make up individual variation in response. The body has a system for regulating electrolyte balance and it eliminates excess fluids through urination.

Health professionals recommend taking electrolytes dissolved in liquid or eating salty snacks when drinking large amounts of water to make sure that a proper balance is being maintained. For instance, sometimes when people are trying to avoid an alcohol hangover, they may drink (or have their friends force them to drink) more water than they would normally drink. In such cases, salty crackers, chips, or some other kind of salt source can help the body absorb the water and eliminate it properly without risking further throwing the electrolytes out of balance.

Why do I regain weight every time I lose it?

If you are losing weight by going on diet, especially ones which are very restrictive or require that you substantially reduce your intake of calories, can often result in a decrease in metabolic efficiency. By drastically reducing the amount of calories you take in, you signal to your body that you are not getting enough food. Our bodies are good at adapting, so when you take in less food, your body realises that it has to make better use of the food you are still getting. This can lead to storing more energy, and your body may continue to do this even after you have stopped the diet and resumed normal levels of intake. Another problem with reducing caloric intake to induce weight loss is that reduced caloric intake can result in less energy for physical activities, thereby eliminating a crucial part of the energy equation and making it very difficult to get enough exercise.

Four months ago I gave birth via C-section. What exercises can I do to get back my abdomen back in shape?

There are a number of effective exercise routines for women to get back into shape after giving birth. Since you had a cesarean, be sure to consult with your doctor before beginning any work out exercises.

For most women, a combination of Kegel and other abdominal muscle workouts will help to get the abdomen back to its original tone and size. First, it's important to regain the strength of your abdominal muscles. This will help prevent lower back pain or injury, the 'dropping forward' of abdominal organs due to lack of support and will also help you regain a flat stomach.

Such strengthening abs exercises training include pelvic tilts, elbow to knee lifts, ab crunches, sit-ups and crossover sit-ups. These are some of the best abdominal exercises you can do post-natal. However, I suggest concentrating on performing the pelvic tilt to regain abdominal muscle strength before moving on to any of the other abdominal muscle workouts, which target the sides of your abdomen such as sit-ups.

Kegel should definitely be a part of exercise routines for post-natal women. Pregnancy and childbirth can weaken the pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder and other pelvic organs. Kegel exercise strengthens those muscles. Find your pelvic floor muscles by stopping and starting the flow of urine when you urinate. Try contracting and relaxing your kegel muscles while watching TV or sitting at your desk.

kalrasachin@hotmail.com

Just like mom

Twenty years and four months after his mother had New Yorkers in ruptures during a royal visit, Prince Harry, too captured the fancy of the city’s residents. His visit mainly focused on charity and a commemoration of the Sept. 11 attacks. It was described as a somber visit, clearly designed to modify the prince’s tabloid reputation as a party hopper with a penchant for blunders.

Prince Harry laid a wreath at the site of the World Trade Center within hours of his arrival from London on Friday. He also spoke to firefighters and relatives of 9/11 victims and looked over blueprints for the site’s reconstruction. A memorial to the 67 British people killed at the WTC was dedicated in the British Garden at Hanover Square, where he planted the magnolia and attended a private meeting with victims’ families.

In the afternoon, he was accompanied by a British soldier, Joe Townsend, who lost both of his legs in Afghanistan, to the Veterans Affairs Hospital on East 23rd Street.

He visited the prosthetics section and met wounded veterans.

On Saturday, Harry is scheduled to visit the Harlem Children’s Zone with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, who is his co-patron in a charity called Sentebale. In the afternoon, the prince, an accomplished polo player, is to take part in a match on Governors Island, the proceeds of which will go to American Friends of Sentebale. Harry is scheduled to leave for home right after the match. The program has left little time for personal amusement.

Peter Brown, a British publicist in New York who once ran the Beatles’ management company and advised the Consulate on Princess Diana’s visit in February 1989, said it all sounded familiar.

When he was helping to plan Harry’s mother’s trip, the directive was clear: "She must at no time look like she was enjoying herself." However, Diana did manage to enthrall, wowing an audience at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and attending a banquet at the World Financial Center. But she also toured the Henry Street Settlement on the Lower East Side and cuddled children with AIDS — pointedly without donning gloves — in the pediatric unit at Harlem Hospital Center. — ANI

Food for thought

Factors other than parental habits such as community and school, television viewing and self-esteem play an important role in young people's dietary intake

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health say that the suggestion that parents' dietary choices have a significant influence on children's eating habits may need rethinking. Their challenge to the age-old belief is based on an examination of dietary intakes and patterns among US families, which found that the resemblance between children's and their parents' eating habits was weak.

"Child-parent dietary resemblance in the U.S. is relatively weak, and varies by nutrients and food groups and by the types of parent-child dyads and social demographic characteristics such as age, gender and family income," said Dr Youfa Wang, senior author of the study and associate professor with the Bloomberg School's Center for Human Nutrition.

"When looking at overall diet quality, parent-child correlation in healthy eating index score was similar for both younger and older children. To our knowledge, this is the first such study that examined the similarities between children's and their parents' dietary intakes in the US-based on nationally representative data. Our findings indicate that factors other than family and parental eating behaviors may play an important role in affecting American children's dietary intakes," Dr Wang added.

The research team examined data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals, a nationally representative multi-stage sample of 16,103 people containing information about dietary intake, socio-economic, demographic and health parameters surveyed from 1994 to 1996.

Average dietary intake and dietary quality indicators were assessed using two 24-hour dietary recalls provided by study participants.

The researchers also assessed the overall quality of the participating children's and their parents' diets based on the USDA 2005 Health Eating Index (HEI) along with a number of other covariates.

According to them, the correlations between children's and their parents' HEI scores ranged from 0.26 to 0.29 across various child-parent dyads, such as mother-daughter and father-son.

For total energy intake they were 0.14 to 0.29, while for fat intake -0.04 to 0.28.

The researchers say that the range of the correlation measure is between -1 and 1, while 0 means no resemblance and 1 indicates a perfect resemblance.

The team also found some differences in the resemblance between different types of child-parent dyads and nutrient intakes, and by children's age and family income.

"Factors other than parental eating behaviors such as community and school, food environment, peer influence, television viewing, as well as individual factors such as self-image and self-esteem seem to play an important role in young people's dietary intake," said Dr. May A. Beydoun, co-author of the study and a former postdoctoral research fellow at the Bloomberg School.

"Our findings have a number of important public health implications. In particular, the overall weak to moderate parent-child resemblance in food groups, nutrients and healthy eating index scores suggest that interventions targeting parents could have only a moderate effect on improving their children's diet. Nevertheless, based on our findings stratified by population groups, for interventions targeting parents, those would be more effective when targeted at mothers, minority groups, and as early as possible in childhood. We suspect that the child-parent resemblance in dietary intake may have become weaker over time, due to the growing influence of other factors outside of the family," said Wang. — ANI